Someone Else's Shoes

Written by British novelist and journalist Jojo Moyes in 2023, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story of loss, solidarity, and growth that interweaves the lives of two middle-aged women from different backgrounds as they try to cope with major life changes. By reinventing the classic trope of having her characters “trade places,” Moyes creates a unique space in which to explore how these two very different women learn to recognize their own unhealthy patterns and ultimately change their own lives for the better.

This study guide refers to the Viking hardcover edition of the text.

Content Warning: This text features discussions of suicidal ideation, sexual harassment, and loss of pregnancy.

Plot Summary

The story begins with a mix-up between two women at a gym in London. Sam is an overworked mother who is struggling with financial problems, a sick best friend, needy parents, a misogynistic boss, and an unstable family unit that relies on her to function. Nisha, on the other hand, has a life that outwardly appears to be perfect, until her wealthy husband, Carl, demands a divorce and cuts off all access to her financial and social assets, leaving her alone in a foreign country.